Dunhill, a luxury British menswear brand, has recently made a significant move by appointing Simon Holloway as its new creative director.
With his wealth of experience in the fashion industry and a deep understanding of the brand’s DNA, Holloway is expected to lead Dunhill in a fresh direction. Laurent Malecaze, the new CEO of Dunhill, praised Holloway’s “creative energy” and “decades of experience in luxury” and emphasized his “sense of quality and craft” and his understanding of the Dunhill DNA.
Holloway is no stranger to the world of luxury fashion. Having studied fashion design at Kingston University School of Fashion, he has held senior creative roles at brands such as Hogan, Jimmy Choo, Narciso Rodriguez and Ralph Lauren. Before joining Dunhill, he served as the creative director of James Purdey & Sons, another esteemed brand in the Compagnie Financière Richemont portfolio.
Simon Holloway’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Dunhill, reinforcing its focus on the guiding principles of British craft, innovation, functionality, and masculine elegance. It is understood that the brand plans to highlight tailored clothing, luxury fabrics, and classic menswear silhouettes, contrasting with the sportier touch introduced by the previous creative director, Mark Weston.
Holloway’s appreciation for the brand’s heritage is evident in his own words, describing Alfred Dunhill, the brand’s founder, as “a pioneer, an innovator, and one of the most influential British tastemakers of the 20th century“. He noted that Dunhill’s “obsession with ingenuity and refinement“ has left an “enduring and powerful inspiration” for the brand.
While at Purdey, Simon Holloway established a new template by creating lifestyle and accessories collections for both men and women, blurring the lines between city and countryside. His designs featured pieces like double-face cashmere capes, sleek trenches with checks, and Black Watch tartan suiting for eveningwear.
Dunhill is part of Richemont, a luxury group that includes brands like Alaïa, Chloé, Delvaux, Montblanc, Peter Millar, Purdey and Serapian. Richemont chairman Johann Rupert considers Dunhill to be one of his most treasured fashion properties. The group’s soft luxury businesses reported a 27 percent growth in the first half of the 2023 fiscal year, generating profits of 56 million euros.
With Holloway’s appointment, Dunhill is set to evolve and expand its iconic codes in the context of today’s client while maintaining the brand’s heritage and principles. Holloway‘s experience and innovative approach will undoubtedly usher in a new era of growth and success for Dunhill. As Malecaze stated, “We are excited to have Simon leading the next chapter of Dunhill, as we remain committed to creating timeless, purposeful, and relevant products for the modern man“.
